Lomeguro – September 29, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Senior county officials met with three Water Users Associations (WUAs) to discuss collaboration to improve water management in Naduat and its environs in Nakalale Ward, Turkana North Sub-county.
The meeting, held with committee members and representatives from Lomeguro, Naperebei, and KeNHA/Morukapel WUAs, also sought to chart a path to address water shortages and improve water infrastructure. This would be conducted in collaboration with the Turkana County Rural Water Services Company (TURWASCO); a county-owned company is mandate to manage rural water schemes.
Managing Director of TURWASCO, Ekaran Victorsam, explained that the company was established to professionalise water service provision in partnerships with WUAs.
“Our priority is to ensure accessibility and sustainability in water provision services,” he told participants. “This includes long-term investments such as a desalination plant, since much of the water in the area is saline.”
He also outlined future plans to extend piped water to homesteads through a metering system.
Julius Lokala, Chair of Nakalale Ward Water Committees, urged greater public participation. “Residents need civic education on the benefits of working with TURWASCO,” he said. “If people understand the Water Act and its safeguards, they will support it.”
Director for Legal Services, Ekai Nabenyo, walked WUA members through the Water Act 2019, emphasizing that consumer feedback, advising the county on community water priorities, promoting water resource conservation, health promotion, and resolving water-related disputes are central to water governance.
“The law does not abolish water user associations,” he said. “It requires the county government to implement consumer feedback and work in collaboration with the associations.”
Vice Chair of Lomeguro WUA, Shadrack Ekuwan, called for expansion. “The population is growing, and so are our needs. Let us collaborate and drill more boreholes.”
In his remarks, Deputy Director of Water Services, Jackson Arigan, said he had taken note of the proposed borehole sites—Nalimo and Kaenyangluk—and would conduct assessments to establish their feasibility.
“If viable, then a plan to connect Lomeguro and Naduat will follow,” he said, noting that demand has surged due to gold mining in Naduat and a growing population.
For Brenda Kokoi, Turkana North Sub-County Administrator, the effort is about more than just infrastructure.
“Water is Agenda One this about providing water to communities and extending water connections to homesteads,” she said.
Justus Eleman, Chair of the KeNHA/Morukapel WUA, highlighted the need for a redesign of water piping to reach four kiosks that were meant to serve the Makutano centre. “Schools and hospitals are still short of reliable supply,” he said.
Turkana North Sub-County Water Officer, James Koki Mariao, confirmed that new borehole sites had already been identified through various upcoming World Bank funded projects; Horn of Africa and K-WASH. He added that the county would continue working closely with WUAs to implement solutions.
Nakalale Ward Administrator, Amos Esilan, stressed the urgency of the situation. “Mining and migration are putting pressure on limited sources,” he said. “Strategic investment in additional boreholes and piping will be key to assisting our people.”
